Those of you who visit my blog on a regular basis understand my adoration for our church family. We’re blessed to be surrounded by amazingly gracious and loving people. Most of you probably also know that Cross Point is one church in two locations.
I’ve made my way to Cross Point Dickson a few times and have always felt extremely welcomed. Each time I walk in the door I’m greeted by friendly faces and receive neighborly hugs. I’ve always left the CP Dickson campus exciting about the work God is doing there and eager to watch their journey unfold.
I always leave saying I LOVE CP Dickson… and I do, but this weekend I realized why I LOVE CP Dickson. As he and she mentioned earlier this week CP Dickson had their fall picnic and we drove down to enjoy the gathering.
As soon as we hopped on the hayride from the parking lot to the picnic location it suddenly dawned on me why I feel so connected and at home there. Let me explain…. first, we rode behind a tractor to get to the picnic! Oh, tractors, I remember riding in my Pop’s lap on a tractor at a very young age.
Second reason I got the warm and fuzzy feeling was when I looked around the food tent EVERYTHING was HOMEMADE!!!!! Seriously, that detail alone was enough to make me feel like I was in heaven.
Then the people, they are the most kindhearted, caring, and hospitable bunch you’ll ever meet. I just can’t say enough about those sweet folks!
Spending a few hours at the picnic made me realize I love CP Dickson because it reminds me of home. It reminds me of the joys of living in a smaller town. The wonderful sense of community. The casualness of knowing your neighbors.
There are definite differences in a small town and a bigger city. Afterall, you’d never see a stroller transported like THIS in the city!
I’m a small town girl at heart who thrives in her big city life!
What about you, small town or big city?
Well I was born in a small town
And I live in a small town
Probably die in a small town
Oh, those small communities
Today I’m feeling a little John Mellencampish.
I’ve always dreamed of living in a small town. I was born and raised in Orlando, Fl.
I don’t think I’ll ever experience small town living, but it’s nice to dream!
By: Alison on October 29, 2008
at 8:07 am
Born and raised in a small town. Lived in in big town(Louiville~pronounced LOW-A-vull)for a number of years. Back in small town.
I like the the community of a small town.
I like the convenience of big town.
By: Rose Yoder on October 29, 2008
at 8:19 am
I think in my heart of hearts I’m a small town girl.
I love the “city.” But, there is something so sweet about small town.
BUT, there is something dangerous about small towns too. If you get my drift.
By: Fran on October 29, 2008
at 8:19 am
I grew up in a small town too (1 mile square surrounded by fields)…so small that the school contained K-12 in the same building and I graduated with 36 kids in my class! However, that being said, I don’t think I could live in a small town like that again. After I got married I moved to a suburb of Dayton…then to the suburb of Denver…then th suburb of the Twin Cities…and now the suburb of Cincinnati….and I love being so close to things instead of having to drive 15 minutes just to get groceries!
By: Annabelle@Christian Momma on October 29, 2008
at 8:24 am
I live in a Big small town. we have grown so much with the population of 75,000. I like that I can go somewhere running errends and run into someone I know. ( however hopefully looking somewhat decent & my boys behaving) *smile* I was born & raised here so its easy to feel that way
By: Heather2 on October 29, 2008
at 8:35 am
I used to think I would hate a small town…in fact, I tried not to live int he small town after I moved to Dickson!
Now, I completely embrace it. I tell people all the time how CP Dickson is different from the main campus…I love both of them! Wish I could have been there to see you!
By: fullofboys on October 29, 2008
at 8:50 am
I think I’m more of a small town girl, although, after college, I decided to come to the city, figuring Nashville wasn’t really that city-like, which is true. I could NEVER survive in NYC, never been there, but too hustle bustle for me! I moved around growing up, and when you live in other countries, it’s a whole different story, but maybe I’m somewhere in the middle. Lived in suburban Detroit, that seemed alright.
By: Christina Schmidt on October 29, 2008
at 9:00 am
My hometown had about 100,000 people, but we lived on the outskirts of town (surrounded by central IL farmland). I went to college in the Chicago suburbs. Now I live here. Sometimes I miss a smaller town feel and think how great it would be to live in places like that. Then reality hits when I realize how much I would miss the conveniences I have now!
By: juliepersinger on October 29, 2008
at 9:05 am
We moved to this little suburb of Dallas when I was 12…from Murfreesboro, TN. I married a man who only ever lived here….and it is no longer a little suburb!!!
My graduating class had 32 people, my daughters will have over 400!!!
I’m definitely country girl….and my hubs knows you can take the girl out of the country, but the country will always have a piece of her heart!
By: Pamela on October 29, 2008
at 9:09 am
brandi,
i love small towns but they need to be within about 15 minutes of a larger town.
i grew up in a really small town of Huntington Indiana and couldnt wait to leave. now with a family i see the value of small towns. there is something kind of small feeling with Nashville though. maybe its all the down to earth people. 
By: mandy on October 29, 2008
at 9:18 am
I grew up in a town that had more cows than people. I couldn’t wait to leave and lived in the city as soon as I turned 18. Now, I am back in a small town and love it.
By: pbjinabowl on October 29, 2008
at 9:31 am
I’m a small town girl in Southern Illinois ,population 8,500.
TOP 10 Advantages to Living in a SMall Town
1.NEarly Everyone Knows your name.
Lots of friendly exchanges at the stores, post office, school, sporting events, etc.
2.Local grocers order your favorite foods to stock.
3.Dress shop lets you take your clothes home “on Approval”. You can return them if you don’t like them (no $$ up front!)
4. Great place to raise your kids- they can ride their bikes around, walk/ride bikes to the candy store nearby.
5.Knowlege of the “scary people” to keep your kids away from (child molestors, drug houses, etc.)
6. Know personally the local law enforcement men/women (Has come in handy the couple of times when I was speeding! And NO, I didn’t ask for a favor, they just “KNEW ME” and chose to show mercy!
7. WHen someone in our community has a great need (medical, house burnt down,) most of the community will rally behind them and GIVE till it hurts!
8. You truly feel like you can make a difference, that you’re not just a number. Voting for certain local offices here have come down to a HANDFUL of votes that determined the winner.
9. Can walk to many areas in town and feel safe. Local Park, Downtown area, Bank, Post office.
Saves on GAS!
10. Great networking- on every level.
#1 Disadvantage…. Everyone knows your name…and your business…
By: SHerri on October 29, 2008
at 9:34 am
I love bigger cities because I grew up in a tiny town! But at the same time I wouldn’t want to live in the actual city…I love suburb areas right outside of big cities!
By: Monica H. on October 29, 2008
at 9:47 am
neither – I’m a suburb girl although I’ve dreamed about living in both a small town & a big city. I’m not sure I would know how to raise 3 boys in the city, scary thoughts.
By: Jen on October 29, 2008
at 10:02 am
I’m as tiny-town as it gets
By: Sarah@Life in the Parsonage on October 29, 2008
at 10:25 am
Great reference to Mellencamp… a small town Indiana Boy, and big time Indiana Hoosiers fan! You are Cream and Crimson at your core more then you realize!
By: patrowland on October 29, 2008
at 10:27 am
I grew up in a small town with a big city an hour away. Then I moved to a bigger town that was just right. Now I live on the outskirts of a big city and love it!
Our town is small with a sense of community but the big city is just minutes away. I love having access to lots of different places to eat. (Yes, it comes down to food choices.)
Also, my church is in the city which is good because we didn’t find a church here that was right for us. So I guess I’m small town with big city close by.
By: tabitha on October 29, 2008
at 11:48 am
Grew up in a small town.
Live in a city.
I’m glad for both.
By: Marla Taviano on October 29, 2008
at 12:02 pm
Both – grew up in many small towns, but love the conveniences and opportunities of the city. I like having a “city feel” in a small community with the “real city” close by – what I have here (in St. Louis) is perfect.
I taught in a very small town and saw a lot more disadvantages to it than advantages.
My family moved from Orange County California when I was a baby and moved to a town of less than 100 (I have NO CLUE what my parents were thinking!) in central Wisconsin. Before we moved a friend told my mom, “if you are not FROM that small town you will never fit it.” It is so true – even 7 years later they still referred to her as the “woman with 5 kids from California” – never by her name. That still resonates with me and perhaps is what provokes my reservations with small towns.
By: holly on October 29, 2008
at 12:49 pm
I’m going to have Mellencamp in my head all day
I love small towns. I grew up on an acreage a few miles outside our small town and I wouldn’t have traded that for the world. Open spaces, lots to do … all of which required the imagination.
But there is a part of me that wants to go to NYC, shop in quaint bookstores, see plays, and sing at some little jazz club just for fun. I want to ride a subway and waste a day at a museum. (I’ve never been to a museum… isn’t that crazy?)
I think what I’m saying is, I could be happy wherever I am. Put me there and I’ll find the beauty and enjoy dreaming about the place I’m not.
By: sara on October 29, 2008
at 1:22 pm
CP Dickson definitely brings back my small town girl roots. I love that I experience the benefits of both!
By: Jenni Catron on October 29, 2008
at 1:38 pm
Okay, you’re going to love me even more. My father-in-law taught voice lessons to John Cougar Mellencamp in the 70’s at IU.
I know!!!!
By: Cindy Beall on October 29, 2008
at 2:23 pm
i’m a small town girl with big city dreams that ended up in another small town. i don’t think i’ll ever live anywhere else…
By: missy from PA on October 29, 2008
at 2:59 pm
There is nothing better than living in a small town. I so miss my hometown and church. Church here in the big city is ok, but not like a hometown country church. They are friendly but I bet I haven’t had a handful of people come and introduce theirselves to us. At home my grandmother would bolt to the other side of the church if she knew there was new people visiting that day. Yes I also agree there is no better cooking than at a small country church. I love nothing better than going to my home church in Salem if they are having a meal or to Walnut Grove Baptist. I guess it is everyone knows everyone and has been with you all your life through the ups and downs, your accomplishments, and just knowing they are there at a moments notice should you need anyone.
By: Mary Beth on October 29, 2008
at 5:56 pm
how cool. love the stroller.
By: danielle on October 29, 2008
at 8:50 pm
City girl! The city energizes me. However, I live in a small town and have for the past 4 1/2 years – learning to embrace and love it.
By: Vanessa on October 29, 2008
at 9:46 pm
Im with you on this, I love love love the City but you can take me home anytime to my little small town. I love the country to go back to but I wouldnt live there anymore.
By: Jessica on October 29, 2008
at 9:48 pm
Laurinburg NC
Funny thing about a small town.
When you are younger, it seems to small to hold all of your dreams.
Then when you get older and you move away, you find most of the dreams you were dreaming really aren’t as big as the memories you made in the small town.
I’m feeling homesick.. sorry.
Yay CP Dickson!
By: Dave Myers on October 29, 2008
at 10:09 pm
I grew up in the country outside of a small TX town (current pop. is 1468). I didn’t know what I was missing as a child but we moved to the Dallas burbs in high school and I loved it! It’s charming to visit but I hope to never live in a small town again…I’m all about convenience & variety now.
By: Rachel Beavers on October 30, 2008
at 6:58 am
The actual town I grew up in wasn’t too small, but living in the south suburbs of Chicago, people distinguish their neighborhood by parishes. “What parish are you from?” is a common follow-up to “I grew up on the southside”. And I love it!
Last night I went back to my “small community” to say goodbye to a friend who passed away. I knew him since we were 6, and his death brought together so many people that I love and care about dearly to this day. My “grammar school” friends are such a huge part of who I am and how I am as an adult. Now, more than ever, I desperately want that sense of “community” for my children to grow up in. If I can’t do it all over again myself, I want to go back home to raise my family there too.
By: Denise on October 30, 2008
at 10:47 am